Yazılar

Apple Explores Using AI to Accelerate Chip Design, Says Executive

/in /tarafından

Apple is exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up the design of its custom chips, a senior hardware technology executive revealed during a recent speech.

Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, spoke last month in Belgium while receiving an award from Imec, a semiconductor research and development group that collaborates with leading chipmakers worldwide.

In his speech, Srouji traced Apple’s journey in chip design from the introduction of the first A4 chip in the iPhone back in 2010 to the latest processors powering Mac desktop computers and the Vision Pro headset. He emphasized that using the most advanced design tools is essential to meet the growing complexity of Apple’s chips.

He highlighted the importance of electronic design automation (EDA) software, developed by companies like Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys, which are increasingly integrating AI technologies into their platforms. According to Srouji, generative AI has strong potential to boost productivity by enabling more chip design work in less time.

Srouji also reflected on Apple’s bold strategic decisions, especially the 2020 transition of its Mac computers from Intel processors to its own Apple Silicon chips. The move involved no fallback plans or partial rollouts, reflecting Apple’s commitment to fully owning the chip design and software integration process.

“Moving the Mac to Apple Silicon was a huge bet for us. There was no backup plan, no split-the lineup plan, so we went all in, including a monumental software effort,” Srouji said.

Synopsys Resumes Limited Services in China Amid U.S. Export Restrictions, Core Tool Sales Still Blocked

/in /tarafından

Synopsys has partially resumed some services in China after suspending operations earlier this month in response to new U.S. export curbs, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. The California-based semiconductor design software provider had halted sales and access to its SolvNet customer support portal to comply with broad U.S. restrictions aimed at limiting technology exports to China.

The source revealed that while Synopsys has restarted sales of non-core hardware and intellectual property (IP) to serve some existing Chinese clients, sales of critical Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools remain suspended. These essential EDA tools are necessary to fully utilize the company’s IP and hardware products, such as the HAPS and ZeBu hardware-assisted verification systems, which are primarily used for accelerating chip verification.

SolvNet has reopened with limited access, restricting some software-related documents, further impacting Chinese customers’ ability to use Synopsys’ full range of services.

Synopsys, along with Cadence and Siemens EDA, dominates the global EDA market with over 70% market share in China, according to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua. The ongoing restrictions on EDA tool sales pose a significant challenge to Chinese semiconductor design companies, potentially hindering the country’s chipmaking industry.

Following the U.S. export controls, Synopsys suspended its annual and quarterly revenue forecasts, reflecting uncertainty about future sales prospects in China.

The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Yageo Promises Technology Protection if Shibaura Acquisition Succeeds

/in /tarafından

Taiwanese chip component maker Yageo has pledged strict controls to prevent technology leaks if its bid to acquire Japan’s Shibaura Electronics succeeds, addressing Japanese national security concerns. Yageo’s Chairman Pierre Chen said the company will hold talks with Shibaura in mid-June in Tokyo to discuss cooperation plans.

Yageo, the world’s largest chip resistor producer, launched an unsolicited tender offer in February to gain full control of Shibaura, which specializes in thermistor technology. Yageo’s latest offer stands at 6,200 yen per share, valuing Shibaura at over 65 billion yen ($450 million), in a competitive bidding war against Japanese components supplier Minebea Mitsumi, which Shibaura selected as a “white knight.”

Chen emphasized that Yageo intends to invest heavily in research and development and expand Shibaura’s facilities in Japan. He assured regulators and the public that stringent safeguards would be in place to protect sensitive technology.

The acquisition aligns with Japan’s evolving approach to unsolicited takeovers, with 2023 M&A guidelines reducing resistance to such bids. Chen said discussions with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have progressed smoothly.

If successful, the deal would fill a gap in Yageo’s thermistor portfolio, enhancing product offerings for global customers. It would also ease supply chain management for major clients like Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla by providing a broader range of components from a single supplier.

Yageo is also a top global manufacturer of multilayer ceramic capacitors, crucial for devices such as Apple iPhones, Nvidia AI servers, and Tesla electric vehicles.